Light source device and projector with improved airflow

ABSTRACT

A light source device, includes: an arc tube which has a light emission portion containing a pair of electrodes disposed along an illumination axis, and a pair of sealing portions extending from both sides of the light emission portion; a reflector which has a reflection portion disposed in the vicinity of one of the sealing portions (the one sealing portion) of the arc tube for reflecting light emitted from the arc tube toward an illumination area; and a rectifying portion disposed between the light emission portion and the reflector for regulating a flow direction of cooling air and transmitting the light from the arc tube.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a light source device and a projectorincluding the light source device.

2. Related Art

A projector which forms a light image by modulating light emitted from alight source device and projects the formed light image on a screen orthe like is known. The light source device contained in the projectorincludes an arc tube and a reflector for reflecting light emitted fromthe arc tube. The arc tube has a light emission portion containing apair of electrodes, and sealing portions extending from both sides ofthe light emission portion. A type of the light source device includedin the projector has a sub mirror on the arc tube to use light emittedfrom the arc tube with high efficiency. According to this type of lightsource device, heat generated by light emission needs to be cooled so asto adjust the temperature of the arc tube to an appropriate temperature.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit including a light source device in related art. As described above,a light source device 69 in the related art includes an arc tube havinga light emission portion 81 and sealing portions 82 and 83, a reflector70, a sub mirror 90 and other parts. A light source unit 8 includes thelight source device 69, a concave lens 11 for collimating light emittedfrom the light source device 69, a housing 9 for accommodating the lightsource device 69 and the concave lens 11, and other components. Thehousing 9 has an air intake port 9 a through which cooling air W isintroduced, and an air discharge port 9 b through which the cooling airW flowing within the housing 9 is discharged from the housing 9.Furthermore, a cooling fan 511 for delivering the cooling air W, a duct521 for guiding the cooling air W toward the air intake port 9 a, alouver 531 for controlling the flowing direction of the cooling air W tobe introduced from the air intake port 9 a into the housing 9, andothers are provided outside the light source unit 8 (inside theprojector including the light source unit 8). Heat generated by lightemission from the arc tube 80 is cooled by the light source unit 8, thecooling fan 511 and others.

According to a technology disclosed in JP-A-2008-216727, a rectifyingportion is disposed around the sealing portions of the light sourcedevice described above at a position out of the effective optical pathparticularly for preventing excessive increase in the temperature of theupper area of the arc tube by cooling the light emission portion withhigh efficiency.

However, when cooling air is supplied to the light source unit 8 in therelated art to cool the heat generated by the arc tube 80 of the lightsource device 69, the cooling air W tends to flow along the innersurface of the reflector 70 (a reflection layer 73) as indicated byarrows in FIG. 9. In this case, the speed of airflow between the lightemission portion 81 and the reflector 70 (the reflection layer 73) inthe direction of an illumination axis L increases. As a result, the flowof the introduced cooling air W to an area A in the upper region of thelight emission portion 81 as an area having a high temperature due toheat convection is limited, and thus the area A cannot be efficientlycooled. When the airflow amount or the airflow speed of the cooling fan511 is raised so as to adjust the temperature of the area A in the upperregion of the light emission portion 81 having the high temperature toan appropriate temperature, an area B on the reflector 70 side of thelight emission portion 81 is excessively cooled. In this case, thetemperature difference in the temperature distribution in the directionof the illumination axis L increases. Particularly, in case of the lightsource device including the sub mirror 90 and thus having a relativelylarger distance between the light emission portion 81 and the reflector70 in the direction of the illumination axis L than the distance of alight source device not including the sub mirror 90, the temperaturedifference becomes more remarkable.

When the excessively cooled condition continues in the area B, the innerwall in the area B of the light emission portion 81 is blackened. Whenthe air supply is decreased so as to prevent excessive cooling in thearea B, the temperature of the area A is raised to a high temperature.As a result, the inner wall in the area A of the light emission portion81 is easily whitened. The blackening refers to a phenomenon whereevaporated atoms of a base material constituting an electrode (such astungsten atoms) do not return to the electrode but adhere to the innerwall of the light emission portion 81 when a halogen cycle of the basematerial is not normally performed due to the low temperature. Thewhitening herein refers to a phenomenon which whitens a base materialconstituting the light emission portion 81 at the time ofrecrystallization of the base material caused by the high temperature.When the whitening or blackening is produced, the area corresponding tothe whitening or blackening loses transparency in either of the casesand lowers the amount of light emitted from the light source device 69.

Therefore, such a light source device and a projector have been demandedwhich can efficiently cool generated heat, properly control thetemperatures of the upper area of the light emission portion and thereflector side of the light emission portion, reduce the temperaturedifference on the light emission portion, and obtain uniform temperaturedistribution in the direction of the illumination axis.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of some aspects of the invention to provide atechnology for solving at least a part of the problems described above.

First Aspect

A first aspect of the invention is directed to a light source devicewhich includes: (a) an arc tube which has a light emission portioncontaining a pair of electrodes disposed along an illumination axis, anda pair of sealing portions extending from both sides of the lightemission portion; (b) a reflector which has a reflection portiondisposed in the vicinity of one of the sealing portions (the one sealingportion) of the arc tube for reflecting light emitted from the arc tubetoward an illumination area; and (c) a rectifying portion disposedbetween the light emission portion and the reflector for regulating aflow direction of cooling air and transmitting the light from the arctube.

According to the light source device having this structure, cooling airintroduced by the rectifying portion disposed between the light emissionportion and the reflector to flow along the reflection portion of thereflector flows along the rectifying portion by the function of therectifying portion for regulating the flow direction. Since therectifying portion transmits light emitted from the arc tube and furthertransmits light reflected by the reflection portion, the light amountfrom the light source device becomes similar to that from a light sourcedevice in related art. In this case, the cooling air easily flows to theupper area of the light emission portion as an area having hightemperature, and thus efficiently cools the heat in the upper area ofthe light emission portion as the area having high temperature.Moreover, even when air is supplied to adjust the temperature of theupper area of the light emission portion to an appropriate temperature,the reflector side of the light emission portion is not excessivelycooled. Thus, the upper area of the light emission portion can beefficiently cooled, and the temperatures of the upper area of the lightemission portion and the reflector side of the light emission portioncan be properly controlled such that the temperature difference betweenthese areas can be reduced. Accordingly, the light source device havinguniform temperature distribution in the direction of the illuminationaxis can be produced.

Second Aspect

A second aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspect which further includes a sub mirror disposed in thevicinity of the other sealing portion in such a manner as to cover theouter surface of the light emission portion as the surface facing theillumination area to reflect the light from the arc tube toward the arctube.

According to the light source device of this aspect including the submirror, the temperature of the upper area of the light emission portionincreases higher than that of a light source device having no submirror. However, the upper area of the light emission portion can beefficiently cooled by the rectifying portion. Moreover, the temperaturesof the upper area of the light emission portion and the reflector sideof the light emission portion can be properly controlled. Thus, thetemperature difference in the temperature distribution of the lightsource device can be reduced.

Third Aspect

A third aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein the rectifying portion is fixed to atleast either the one sealing portion or the reflector.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the rectifyingportion is fixed to at least either the one sealing portion or thereflector. Thus, the rectifying portion can be operated in a stablemanner without affected by the effect of flow of the cooling air.

Fourth Aspect

A fourth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects which further includes a support portion whichsupports the rectifying portion in the vicinity of the one sealingportion and fixes the rectifying portion to a position around the onesealing portion.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the rectifyingportion is securely fixed to the one sealing portion in a properposition with respect to the reflection portion of the reflector and thearc tube. Moreover, the rectifying portion plate can be operated in astable manner without affected by the effect of flow of the cooling air.

Fifth Aspect

A fifth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein the support portion holds the rectifyingportion between the support portion and the light emission portion andfixes the rectifying portion.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the support portionholds the rectifying portion between the support portion and the lightemission portion and fixes the rectifying portion. Thus, the rectifyingportion can be securely fixed and operated in a stable manner withoutaffected by the effect of flow of the cooling air. Moreover, the effectof thermal stress on the one sealing portion can be reduced by avoidingdirect fixture of the rectifying portion to the one sealing portion.

Sixth Aspect

A sixth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein a notch is formed on the edge of therectifying portion.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the cooling air isintroduced to an area surrounded by the reflector and the rectifyingportion through the notch formed on the edge of the rectifying portion.Thus, the heat within the area can be appropriately cooled.

Seventh Aspect

A seventh aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein: when an adhesive is used for fixing therectifying portion to the one sealing portion, the adhesive fixes therectifying portion to a position corresponding to an area out of anelectrode connection region of the one sealing portion.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the adhesive isapplied to the position corresponding to the area out of the electrodeconnection region of the one sealing portion. Thus, the effect on theone sealing portion caused by thermal stress can be reduced by avoidingapplication of the adhesive to the electrode connection region easilyaffected by thermal stress.

The electrode connection region herein refers to an area where linescontained in the electrode are connected by welding or the like with ametal foil or the like sealed within the sealing portion. The area outof the electrode connection region refers to an area not correspondingto the electrode connection region.

Eighth Aspect

An eighth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein the rectifying portion is disposed in sucha position as to be substantially orthogonal to the illumination axis.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the rectifyingportion is disposed substantially orthogonal to the illumination axis.Thus, even when the condition of the light source device is switchedfrom the normal condition to the suspension condition to use the lightsource device upside down, the difference between the position of therectifying portion in the upside-down condition and that position in thenormal condition is small. Accordingly, advantages similar to thoseprovided in the normal condition can be offered in the upside-downcondition.

Ninth Aspect

A ninth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein the rectifying portion has a flat surfaceor a curved surface through which the light can be transmitted.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the rectifyingportion has a flat surface or a curved surface. Thus, highly efficientsurfaces of the rectifying portion suited for the respective shapes ofthe arc tube, the reflector and the like included in the light sourcedevice and for the respective ways of flow of the cooling air can beselected with a higher degree of freedom.

Tenth Aspect

A tenth aspect of the invention is directed to the light source deviceof the above aspects, wherein the rectifying portion has a substantiallycircular or substantially rectangular flat shape.

According to the light source device of this aspect, the shape of therectifying portion can be matched with the inner surface shape of thereflection portion when the flat surface shape of the rectifying portionis substantially circular. In this case, the flow of the cooling air canbe securely regulated. When the flat surface shape is substantiallyrectangular, a clearance is produced by the difference between the innersurface shape of the reflection portion and the rectangular shape of therectifying portion. Thus, the cooling air can be introduced into thearea surrounded by the reflection portion and the rectifying portionthrough the clearance.

Eleventh Aspect

An eleventh aspect of the invention is directed to the light sourcedevice of the above aspects, wherein anti-reflection processing isapplied to the surface of the rectifying portion.

According to the light source device of this aspect, anti-refectionprocessing is applied to the surface of the rectifying portion. Thus,light emitted from the light emission portion and light reflected by thereflection portion are prevented from being changed in their opticalpaths due to reflection by the rectifying portion when the lights arepassing through the rectifying portion. Accordingly, the efficiency ofextracting the light emitted from the light emission portion to theoutside of the light source device can be improved.

Twelfth Aspect

A twelfth aspect of the invention is directed to a projector whichincludes; the light source device of any aspects described above; and anoptical modulation device which forms an optical image by modulatinglight emitted from the light source device according to an image signal.

The projector of this aspect of the invention includes the light sourcedevice of any aspects. In this case, the projector can efficiently coolthe upper area of the light emission portion, and properly control thetemperatures of the upper area of the light emission portion and thereflector side of the light emission portion such that the temperaturedifference between these areas can be reduced. Thus, the temperaturedistribution in the direction of the illumination axis becomes uniform,and whitening and blackening of the light emission portion can bereduced. Accordingly, the life of the light source device included inthe projector can be increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates optical systems of a projector according to a firstembodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a light source unit, wherein FIG. 2A is across-sectional view showing the side of the light source unit; and FIG.2B is a front view showing a connecting area between a light emissionportion and one of sealing portions as viewed from the reflector side,the connecting area containing a condition cut along a plane orthogonalto an illumination axis.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a light source unit according to a secondembodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the sideof the light source unit; and FIG. 3B is a front view showing aconnecting area between a light emission portion and one of sealingportions as viewed from the reflector side, the connecting areacontaining a condition cut along a plane orthogonal to an illuminationaxis.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a light source unit according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit including a light source device in related art.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments according to the invention are hereinafterdescribed with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates optical systems of a projector according to a firstembodiment. The structure and operation of the optical systems of aprojector 600 are now explained with reference to FIG. 1.

In the figures for explaining this embodiment (FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and2B referred to in the following description), an XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system is used which indicates an X axis direction as adirection of an illumination axis L of light emitted from a light sourcedevice 61 toward an illumination area, a Y axis direction as a directionorthogonal to the X axis direction and in parallel with the sheetsurface of FIG. 1, and a Z axis direction as a direction orthogonal tothe X axis direction and perpendicular to the sheet surface of FIG. 1.In this case, the light traveling direction corresponds to the +Xdirection, the left direction with respect to the +X directioncorresponds to the +Y direction, and the upper direction with respect tothe +X direction corresponds to the +Z direction.

The projector 600 according to this embodiment has optical systems. Theoptical systems form an optical image by modulating light emitted fromthe light source device 61 according to image signals, and project aprojection image to a projection target surface such as a screen Sthrough a projection system 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the optical systems of the projector 600include an integrator illumination system 10, a color separation andlight guide system 20, an optical modulation device, a color combiningsystem, and the projection system 50. The integrator illumination system10 is an optical system for equalizing illuminance of light emitted fromthe light source device 61 within a plane orthogonal to the illuminationaxis L. The color separation and light guide system 20 separatesillumination light received from the integrator illumination system 10into three color lights in red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and guidesthe divided color lights to the illumination area.

The optical modulation device is an optical system which modulates eachof the three color lights separated by the color separation and lightguide system 20 according to image signals, and includes three liquidcrystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B corresponding to the three colorlights in red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The color combining systemcombines optical images modulated by the optical modulation device (thethree liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B), and includes a crossdichroic prism 40. The projection system 50 is an optical system whichprojects an optical image produced by combining the optical images inthe respective colors using the color combining system (the crossdichroic prism 40) to the projection target surface such as the screenS.

The integrator illumination system 10 includes the light source device61 for emitting illumination light toward the illumination area, aconcave lens 11 for releasing converged light emitted from the lightsource device 61 as substantially parallel light, and a first lens array12 having a plurality of first small lenses 12 a for dividing theillumination light released from the concave lens 11 into a plurality ofpartial lights.

The integrator illumination system 10 further includes a second lensarray 13 having a plurality of second small lenses 13 a corresponding tothe plural first small lenses 12 a of the first lens array 12, apolarization converting element 14 which converts the partial lightsreleased from the second lens array 13 into substantially one type oflinear polarized lights having the same polarization direction andreleases the converted lights, and a stacking lens 15 for stacking therespective partial lights released from the polarization convertingelement 14 on the illumination area.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 (and FIGS. 2A and 2B as well), the light sourcedevice 61 includes a reflector 70, an arc tube 80 having the lightemission center in the vicinity of a first focus of the reflector 70, asub mirror 90 for reflecting light emitted from a light emission portion81, and a rectifying portion 100 for regulating the flow direction ofcooling air W1. The light source device 61 emits light having theillumination axis L as the center axis.

The details of the structure and operation of the light source device 61will be described after the explanation of the optical systems of theprojector 600.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the concave lens 11 is disposed on theillumination area of the reflector 70. The concave lens 11 is sodesigned as to direct the light from the reflector 70 toward the firstlens array 12.

The first lens array 12 functions as a light dividing optical elementfor dividing light from the concave lens 11 into plural partial lights,and has the plural first small lenses 12 a disposed in matrix havingplural lines and plural rows within a plane orthogonal to theillumination axis L. Each external shape of the first small lenses 12 ais similar to each external shape of the image forming areas of theliquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B.

The second lens array 13 forms respective images of the first smalllenses 12 a of the first lens array 12 in the vicinity of the imageforming areas of the liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 303 incooperation with the stacking lens 15. The second lens array 13 has astructure substantially similar to that of the first lens array 12,containing the plural second small lenses 13 a disposed in matrix havingplural lines and plural rows within a plane orthogonal to theillumination axis L.

The polarization converting element 14 is a polarizing element whichconverts the respective partial lights divided by the first lens array12 into substantially one type of linear polarized lights having thesame polarization direction and releases the converted lights. Thepolarization converting element 14 has a polarization dividing layerwhich transmits one of the linear polarized light components of thepolarized light components contained in the light emitted from the lightsource device 61 and reflects the other linear polarized light componentin a direction perpendicular to the illumination axis L, a reflectionlayer which reflects the other linear polarized light componentreflected by the polarization dividing layer in a direction parallelwith the illumination axis L, and a retardation film which converts theone linear polarized light component transmitted by the polarizationdividing layer into the other linear polarized light component.

The stacking lens 15 is an optical element which collects the pluralpartial lights having passed the first lens array 12, the second lensarray 13, and the polarization converting element 14 and stacks thecollected partial lights in the vicinity of the image forming areas ofthe liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B. The stacking lens 15 isdisposed in such a position that the optical axis of the stacking lens15 almost coincides with the illumination axis L of the integratorillumination system 10. The stacking lens 15 may be a compound lensproduced by combining plural lenses.

The color separation and light guide system 20 has dichroic mirrors 21and 22, reflection mirrors 23, 24, and 25, an entrance side lens 26, arelay lens 27, and converging lenses 28R, 28G, and 28B. The colorseparation and light guide system 20 separates the illumination lightreleased from the stacking lens 15 into three color lights of red light,green light, and blue light, and guides the respective color lights tothe three liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B as the illuminationtargets.

The liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, and 30B which modulate illuminationlights according to image signals are the illumination targets of theintegrator illumination system 10. Each of the liquid crystal devices30R, 30G, and 30B has liquid crystals as electro-optic substances sealedbetween a pair of transparent glass base materials, and modulates thepolarization direction of the one type of the linear polarized lightsreleased from entrance side polarization plates described lateraccording to inputted image signals by using polysilicon TFT asswitching elements, for example.

The converging lenses 28R, 28G, and 28B for controlling the incidentangles are disposed on the optical path before the liquid crystaldevices 30R, 30G, and 30B. Though not shown in the figure, the entranceside polarization plates are interposed between the converging lens 28Rand the liquid crystal device 30R, between the converging lens 28G andthe liquid crystal device 30G, and between the converging lens 28B andthe liquid crystal device 30B, and exit side polarization plates areinterposed between the liquid crystal device 30R and the cross dichroicprism 40, between the liquid crystal device 30G and the cross dichroicprism 40, and between the liquid crystal device 30B and the crossdichroic prism 40. The respective entering color lights are modulated bythe entrance side polarization plates, the liquid crystal devices 30R,30G, and 30B, and the exit side polarization plates.

The cross dichroic prism 40 is an optical device which combines theoptical images emitted from the exit side polarization plates andmodulated for each color light into a color image. The cross dichroicprism 40 has a substantially square shape in the plan view produced byaffixing four rectangular prisms, and dielectric multilayer films areprovided on the interfaces of the rectangular prisms affixed to oneanother in an approximately X shape. The dielectric multilayer filmformed on one of the interfaces in the substantially X shape reflectsthe red light, and the dielectric multilayer film formed on the otherinterface reflects the blue light. The red light and the blue light arebent by the dielectric multilayer films in the same direction as thetraveling direction of the green light such that the three color lightscan be combined.

The color image released from the cross dichroic prism 40 is expandedand projected by the projection system 50 to form a projection image onthe screen S as the projection target surface.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a light source unit. FIG. 2A is across-sectional view showing the side of the light source unit. FIG. 2Bis a front view showing a connecting area between the light emissionportion and one of the sealing portions as viewed from the reflectorside, the connecting area containing a condition cut along a planeorthogonal to the illumination axis. The structure and operation of alight source unit 1 are now described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The light source unit 1 in this embodiment includes the light sourcedevice 61, the concave lens 11, and the housing 9 for accommodating thelight source device 61 and the concave lens 11. A cooling mechanism 500for cooling heat generated by the light source device 61 is furtherprovided in such a position as to face the light source unit 1 when thelight source unit 1 is accommodated at a predetermined position insidethe projector 600.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the light source device 61 includes thereflector 70, the arc tube 80 having the light emission center in thevicinity of the first focus of the reflector 70, and the sub mirror 90for reflecting light emitted from the light emission portion 81, and therectifying portion 100 for regulating the flow direction of the coolingair W1 introduced into the light source device 61. The light sourcedevice 61 emits light having the illumination axis L as the center axis.

The reflector 70 includes a reflector main body 71 having ellipsoidalconcave surfaces 71 a and 71 b, and a cylindrical portion 72 throughwhich an end of a sealing portion (one of sealing portions) 82 of thearc tube 80 described later is inserted to be fixed to the cylindricalportion 72. The reflector main body 71 and the cylindrical portion 72constituting the reflector 70 are formed integrally with each other. Areflection layer 73 (73 a and 73 b) having high reflectance are providedon the concave surfaces 71 a and 71 b of the reflector main body 71. Thedetails of the concave surfaces 71 a and 71 b and the reflection layer73 (73 a and 73 b) corresponding to the concave surfaces 71 a and 71 bwill be described later.

The cylindrical portion 72 is a cylindrical body provided on the surfaceopposite to the reflection layer 73 in such a manner as to extend fromthe centers of the reflection layer 73 and the reflector main body 71.An opening 72 a is formed inside the cylindrical portion 72 such thatthe end of the sealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80 described later canbe inserted through the opening 72 a and fixed thereto. The arc tube 80described later is fixed to the cylindrical portion 72 of the reflector70 by inserting the end of the sealing portion through the opening 72 aand filling the clearance between the opening 72 a and the sealingportion 82 with an inorganic adhesive C such as cement.

Preferable examples of the base material for constituting the reflector70 (the reflector main body 71 and the cylindrical portion 72) arecrystallized glass and alumina (Al₂O₃). The reflection layer 73 isformed by dielectric multilayer film made of titanium oxide (TiO₂) andsilicon oxide (SiO₂).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the arc tube includes the lightemission portion 81 having a spherical shape, and a pair of the columnarsealing portions 82 and 83 extending from both sides of the lightemission portion 81 along the illumination axis L. The arc tube 80 has apair of electrodes 84 and 85 contained in the light emission portion 81and disposed close to and opposed to each other along the illuminationaxis L, a pair of metal foils 86 and 87 sealed within the pair of thesealing portions 82 and 83, respectively, and a pair of leads 88 and 89electrically connected with the metal foils 86 and 87, respectively.

The conditions and the like of the elements included in the arc tube 80are as follows, for example. The light emission portion 81 and thesealing portions 82 and 83 are made of quartz glass or the like, andmercury, rare gas, and a small amount of metal halogenated material aresealed into the light emission portion 81. The electrodes 84 and 85 aretungsten electrodes or the like, and the metal foils 86 and 87 aremolybdenum foils or the like. The leads 88 and 89 are made of molybdenumor tungsten, for example. The arc tube 80 can be formed by various typesof arc tube capable of emitting light having high luminance, such as ahigh-pressure mercury lamp, an extra-high pressure mercury lamp, and ametal halide lamp.

The sub mirror 90 covering approximately the half of the light emissionportion 81 is a component disposed opposed to the concave surfaces 71 aand 71 b of the reflector 70 to reflect light emitted toward theillumination area from the arc tube 80 again toward the arc tube 80. Thesub mirror 90 includes a sub mirror main body 91 having a concavesurface 91 a, and a cylindrical portion 92 having an opening 92 athrough which the sealing portion (the other sealing portion) 83 of thearc tube 80 is inserted to be fixed to the opening 92 a. The sub mirrormain body 91 and the cylindrical portion 92 constituting the sub mirror90 are formed integrally with each other. A reflection layer 93 havinghigh reflectance is formed on the concave surface 91 a of the sub mirrormain body 91. The light emitted from the arc tube 80 and reflected bythe reflection layer 93 toward the arc tube 80 passes through the arctube 80 and reaches the reflector 70.

The material for constituting the sub mirror 90 (the sub mirror mainbody 91 and the cylindrical portion 92) is quartz glass, for example.The reflection layer is formed by dielectric multilayer film made oftantalum oxide (Ta₂O₃) and silicon oxide (SiO₂), for example.

The sub mirror 90 having this structure is fixed to the sealing portion83 of the arc tube 80 by inserting the sealing portion 83 of the arctube 80 through the opening 92 a of the cylindrical portion 92 andfilling the clearance between the opening portion 92 a of thecylindrical portion 92 and the sealing portion 83 with the inorganicadhesive C such as cement.

The rectifying portion 100 is disposed between the one sealing portion82 and the reflector 70 to regulate the flow direction of the coolingair W1 introduced into the light source device 61. The rectifyingportion 100 transmits light emitted from the arc tube 80 toward thereflection layer 73 of the reflector 70, and further transmits light inthe opposite direction reflected by the reflection layer 73 toward theillumination area. In this embodiment, the rectifying portion 100 has adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 101 as illustrated in FIG. 2B.The rectifying portion 100 further has an opening 101 a at the center.

A support member 110 as a support portion is a component for supportingthe rectifying portion 100 on the one sealing portion 82 and fixing therectifying portion 100 to the one sealing portion 82. The support member110 includes a disk-shaped support portion main body 111, and a flange112 formed on the periphery of the support portion main body 111. Anopening 111 a is formed inside the support portion main body 111.

According to this embodiment, the rectifying portion 100 is formedintegrally with the support member 110 by inserting the support portionmain body 111 through the opening 101 a of the rectifying portion mainbody 101 and bringing the rectifying portion 100 into contact with thesurface of the flange 112, and then heating the rectifying portion 100.The rectifying portion 100 thus formed is fixed to the sealing portion82 by inserting the sealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80 through theopening 111 a of the support portion main body 111 and filling theclearance between the sealing portion and the opening 111 a of thesupport member 110 with the inorganic adhesive C such as cement. In thiscondition, substantially no clearance is produced between an outercircumferential end 101 b of the rectifying portion 100 and thereflection layer 73 in this embodiment.

The rectifying portion 100 fixed to the sealing portion 82 via thesupport member 110 is disposed in such a position as to be substantiallyorthogonal to the illumination axis L in this embodiment. The rectifyingportion main body 101 has a flat surface to which anti-reflectionprocessing is applied. The materials for constituting the rectifyingportion 100 and the support member 110 are quartz glass, for example.Alternatively, low thermal expansion glass such as neoceram (registeredtrademark) and high heat conductive material such as sapphire may beused.

The reflection layer 73 (73 b) of the reflector 70 receiving the lighttransmitted through the rectifying portion 100 has a shape withdrawnfrom the reflection layer 73 (73 a) of the reflector 70 receiving lightnot transmitted through the rectifying portion 100. The reflection layer73 b corresponds to the concave surface 71 b, and the reflection layer73 a corresponds to the concave surface 71 a. The light transmittedthrough the rectifying portion 100 has a longer optical path length thanthat of the light not transmitted through the rectifying portion 100.Thus, the optical path length of the light transmitted through therectifying portion 100 is corrected by the structure of the reflectionlayer 73 (73 b).

The housing 9 made of resin having high heat resistance or the likefixes the reflector 70 and the concave lens 11. The housing 9 isolates aspace C1 formed between the reflector 70 (and the rectifying portion100) and the concave lens 11 from the surroundings to prevent leakage ofunnecessary light emitted from the arc tube 80 to the outside as straylight. An air intake port 9 a is formed on the upper wall surface of thehousing 9 in the +Z direction as the side surface of the housing 9.Also, an air discharge port 9 b is formed on the lower wall surface ofthe housing 9 in the −Z, direction. Air for cooling (cooling air) isintroduced from the outside through the air intake port 9 a, and airafter cooling is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

The cooling mechanism 500 is a cooling device which cools heat generatedby light emission from the light emission portion 81 of the arc tube 80in cooperation with the air intake port 9 a, the air discharge port 9 band the like. The cooling mechanism 500 includes a cooling fan 510 fordelivering cooling air, a duct 520 for introducing the generated coolingair to the air intake port 9 a of the housing 9, a louver 530 forcontrolling the flow direction of the cooling air flowing through theair intake port 9 a toward the space C1 of the housing 9 (the space C1of the light source unit 1), and other parts. A discharge duct (notshown) is further provided inside the projector 600 in such a positionas to face the air discharge port 9 b. The heated cooling air passingthrough the air discharge port 9 b is discharged through the dischargeduct to the outside of the projector 600.

The flow of the cooling air W1 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to the space C1 of the lightsource unit 1 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowdescribed.

The cooling air W1 having the flowing direction regulated by the louver530 of the cooling mechanism 500 is introduced to the space C1 of thehousing 9 through the air intake port 9 a, and flows toward thereflector 70. The cooling air W1 having reached the reflector 70 flowsalong the reflection layer 73 of the reflector 70.

The cooling air W1 flowing along the reflection layer 73 of thereflector 70 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 100 (−Z direction) by the function of the rectifyingportion 100 for regulating the flow direction. Then, the cooling air W1regulated by the rectifying portion 100 flows from an area A in theupper region of the light emission portion 81 to an area B on thereflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81. By the flow of thecooling air W1, the area B as well as the area A are cooled. Then, thecooling air W1 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 100 (−Z direction), and again flows along thereflection layer 73 away from the rectifying portion 100. Finally, thecooling air W1 is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

This embodiment provides the following advantages.

(1) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, thecooling air W1 introduced to flow along the reflection layer 73 of thereflector 70 flows along the rectifying portion 100 disposed between thelight emission portion 81 and the reflector 70 by the function of therectifying portion 100 for regulating the flow direction. Since therectifying portion 100 transmits light emitted from the arc tube 80 andfurther transmits light reflected by the reflection layer 73, the lightamount from the light source device 61 becomes similar to that from alight source device in related art. In this case, the cooling air W1easily flows to the area A in the upper region of the light emissionportion 81 as an area having high temperature, and also flows to thearea B on the reflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81. Thus,the heat on the area. A in the upper region of the light emissionportion 81 as the area having high temperature can be efficientlycooled. Moreover, even when air is supplied to adjust the temperature ofthe area A in the upper region of the light emission portion 81 to anappropriate temperature, the area B on the reflector 70 side of thelight emission portion 81 is not excessively cooled. Thus, the upperarea (area A) of the light emission portion 81 can be efficientlycooled, and the temperatures of the upper area of the light emissionportion 81 (area A) and the reflector 70 side of the light emissionportion 81 (area B) can be properly controlled such that the temperaturedifference between the area A and the area B can be reduced.Accordingly, the light source device 61 having uniform temperaturedistribution in the direction of the illumination axis L can beproduced.

(2) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, therectifying portion 100 can be securely fixed to the one sealing portion82 in a proper position for the reflection layer 73 of the reflector 70and the arc tube 80 by using the support member 110, and can be operatedin a stable condition without affected by the flow of the cooling airW1.

(3) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, therectifying portion 100 is disposed substantially orthogonal to theillumination axis L. Thus, even when the condition of the light sourcedevice 61 is switched from the normal condition to the suspensioncondition to use the light source device 61 upside down, the differencebetween the position of the rectifying portion 100 in the suspensioncondition and that position in the normal condition is small.Accordingly, the above advantages of the rectifying portion 100 can beoffered in the suspension condition similarly to the normal condition.In this case, an air discharge port (not shown) on the upper wallsurface of the housing 9 in the +Z direction and an air intake port (notshown) on the lower wall in the −Z direction are added. Also, the duct520 of the cooling mechanism 500 is branched in two directions andconnected to the air intake ports in the +Z direction and the −Zdirection. In addition, a switching unit (not shown) for switching suchthat the cooling air W1 can always flow toward the air intake portpositioned at the upper position in the direction of gravity at the timeof switching the position is provided to use the light source device 61both in the normal condition and the suspension condition.

(4) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, therectifying portion 100 has a flat surface. Thus, the rectifying portion100 can be manufactured at low manufacturing cost by forming therectifying portion 100 from a plate-shaped material.

(5) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, therectifying portion 100 has a substantially circular flat shape. Thus,the shape of the rectifying portion 100 can be matched with the innersurface shape of the reflection layer 73. Accordingly, the flow of thecooling air W1 can be securely regulated.

(6) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment,anti-refection processing is applied to the surface of the rectifyingportion 100. Thus, light emitted from the light emission portion 81 andlight reflected by the reflection layer 73 are prevented from beingchanged in their optical paths due to reflection by the rectifyingportion 100 when the lights are passing through the rectifying portion100. Accordingly, the efficiency of extracting the light emitted fromthe light emission portion 81 to the outside of the light source device61 can be improved.

(7) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment, theupper area of the light emission portion 81 (area A) can be efficientlycooled, and the temperatures of the upper area of the light emissionportion 81 and the reflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81can be properly controlled such that the temperature difference betweenthe area A and the area B can be reduced. Thus, the temperaturedistribution in the direction of the illumination axis L becomesuniform, and whitening and blackening of the light emission portion 81can be reduced. Accordingly, problems such as lowering of the lightamount caused by loss of transparency of the light emission portion 81and corruption of the light emission portion 81 caused by development ofwhitening or blackening can be prevented, and the life of the lightsource device 61 can be increased.

(8) According to the light source device 61 in this embodiment capableof providing the above advantages, the number of revolutions of thecooling fan 510 can be made smaller than that of a cooling fan inrelated art. Thus, the noise of the projector 600 can be reduced.Moreover, the power consumption of the cooling fan 510 during operationcan be decreased.

(9) According to this embodiment, the projector 600 includes the lightsource device 61 having a long life. When the light source device 61having a long life is incorporated in the projector 600 or otherapparatus, the number of times for replacing the light source device 61is lowered. Thus, the amount of produced industrial waste can bereduced.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a light source unit according to a secondembodiment. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing the side of thelight source unit. FIG. 3B is a front view showing a connecting areabetween the light emission portion and one of the sealing portions asviewed from the reflector side, the connecting area containing acondition cut along a plane orthogonal to the illumination axis. Arectifying portion 120 in FIG. 3A is shown as a cross section takenalong a line A-A in FIG. 3B for simplifying the explanation. In FIGS. 3Aand 3B, similar reference numbers are given to parts similar to those inthe first embodiment, and the same explanation is not repeated herein.The XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is similarto the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in thefirst embodiment. The projector 600 in the second embodiment is similarto the projector 600 in the first embodiment except for that a lightsource unit 2 is included in lieu of the light source unit 1 in theoptical systems of the projector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 2 in the secondembodiment are now described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The light source unit 2 in the second embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In thesecond embodiment, the rectifying portion 120 included in a light sourcedevice 62 is different from the rectifying portion 100 included in thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment. In the secondembodiment, no support portion such as the support member 110 in thefirst embodiment is used. The rectifying portion 120 in the secondembodiment is disposed between the one sealing portion 82 and thereflector 70 similarly to the rectifying portion 100 in the firstembodiment, and performs operation similar to that of the rectifyingportion 100 in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the rectifying portion 120 includes adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 121 having a flat surface asillustrated in FIG. 3B. The rectifying portion 120 further has fournotches 122 formed on the edge of the rectifying portion main body 121at equal intervals, and four fixing portions 123 as the remaining edgesafter removal of the notches 122 to provide portions to be fixed to thereflector 70. An opening 121 a is further formed at the center of therectifying portion main body 121.

The rectifying portion 120 is produced by inserting the sealing portion82 of the arc tube 80 through the opening 121 a, and bringing the fixingportions 123 of the rectifying portion 120 into contact with thereflection layer 73 in a direction substantially orthogonal to theillumination axis L. Then, the ends of the four fixing portions 123contacting the reflection layer 73 are fixed to the reflection layer 73by the inorganic adhesive C such as cement. The opening 121 a of therectifying portion 120 is positioned away from the outer circumferentialsurface of the sealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80. Anti-reflectionprocessing is applied to the surface of the rectifying portion 120similarly to the first embodiment, and the material constituting therectifying portion 120 is similar to that of the rectifying portion 100in the first embodiment.

The flow of cooling air W2 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space C2 of the lightsource unit 2 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained.

The cooling air W2 having the flowing direction regulated by the louver530 of the cooling mechanism 500 flows to the space C2 of the housing 9through the air intake port 9 a, and flows toward the reflector 70. Thecooling air W2 having reached the reflector 70 flows along thereflection layer 73 of the reflector 70.

The flow direction of the cooling air W2 flowing along the reflectionlayer 73 of the reflector 70 is regulated by the rectifying portion 120.More specifically, a part of the cooling air W2 flowing along thereflection layer 73 flows toward a space D2 surrounded by the reflector70 and the rectifying portion 120 via the notch 122 of the rectifyingportion 120 positioned in the +Z direction. Most of the remainingcooling air W2 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 120 (−Z direction).

The cooling air W2 flowing in the direction along the flat surface ofthe rectifying portion 120 (−Z direction) flows from the area A in theupper region of the light emission portion 81 to the area B on thereflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81. By the flow of thecooling air W2, the area B as well as the area A are cooled. Then, thecooling air W2 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 120 (−Z direction), and again flows along thereflection layer 73 away from the rectifying portion 120. Finally, thecooling air W2 is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

On the other hand, the cooling air W2 introduced to the space D2surrounded by the reflector 70 and the rectifying portion 120 cools thespace D2, and again flows out through the notch 122 positioned in the −Zdirection and moves along the reflection layer 73. Then, the cooling airW2 is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

The light source unit 2 according to this embodiment has structuresimilar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light source device 61)in the first embodiment except for that the support portion is notincluded and that different structure and fixing method of therectifying portion 120 of the light source device 62 are used. Thus, thefollowing advantages as well as the corresponding ones of the advantagesof the light source device 61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 62 in the second embodiment,the notches 122 are formed on the edge of the rectifying portion 120.Thus, the cooling air W2 can be introduced through the notches 122 tothe space D2 surrounded by the reflector 70 and the rectifying portion120. Accordingly, the heat in the space D2 can be properly cooled.

(2) According to the light source device 62 in the second embodiment,the rectifying portion 120 is fixed to the reflection layer 73 of thereflector 70. Thus, the effect on the sealing portion 82 caused bythermal stress produced when the rectifying portion 120 is fixed to thesealing portion 82 can be reduced.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a third embodiment. In FIG. 4, similar referencenumbers are given to parts similar to those in the first embodiment, andthe same explanation is not repeated herein. The XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in the first embodiment. Theprojector 600 in the third embodiment is similar to the projector 600 inthe first embodiment except for that a light source unit 3 is includedin lieu of the light source unit 1 in the optical systems of theprojector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 3 in the thirdembodiment are now described with reference to FIG. 4.

The light source unit 3 in the third embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In thethird embodiment, a rectifying portion 130 included in a light sourcedevice 63 and a support member 140 fixing the rectifying portion 130 aredifferent from the rectifying portion 100 and the support member 110included in the light source device 61 in the first embodiment. Therectifying portion 130 in the third embodiment is disposed between theone sealing portion 82 and the reflector 70 similarly to the rectifyingportion 100 in the first embodiment and performs operation similar tothat of the rectifying portion 100 in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the rectifying portion 130 includes adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 131 having a flat surface asillustrated in FIG. 4. An opening 131 a is further formed at the centerof the rectifying portion main body 131.

The support member 140 as the support portion in this embodimentincludes a cylindrical support portion main body 141, and a flange 142formed on the periphery of the support portion main body 141. In thisembodiment, the rectifying portion 130 is produced by inserting thesealing portion 82 through the opening 131 a of the rectifying portionmain body 131, and further through the inner surface of the supportportion main body 141 of the support member 140. Then, the supportmember 140 is shifted along the outer surface of the sealing portion 82toward the light emission portion 81, and the rectifying portion 130 ispressed against the surface of the flange 142 of the support member 140and brought into contact with the light emission portion 81. By thismethod, the rectifying portion 130 is sandwiched between the outersurface of the light emission portion 81 and the flange 142 of thesupport member 140 to be fixed therebetween.

The support member 140 is formed by a pipe-shaped metal component, andthe support portion main body 141 has a length sufficient for reachingthe inside of the opening 72 a of the reflector 70 under the conditionin which the rectifying portion 130 is sandwiched between the lightemission portion 81 and the support member 140. Thus, after therectifying portion 130 is sandwiched between the light emission portion81 and the support portion main body 141, the clearance between theopening 72 a and the ends of the sealing portion 82 and the supportportion main body 141 inserted through the opening 72 a is filled withthe inorganic adhesive C such as cement to fix the sealing portion 82and the support portion main body 141.

According to this embodiment, a substantially constant clearance isformed between an outer circumferential end 131 b of the rectifyingportion 130 and the opposed reflection layer 73 in this condition. Therectifying portion 130 sandwiched between the light emission portion 81and the support member 140 and fixed therebetween is disposedsubstantially orthogonal to the illumination axis L. Anti-reflectionprocessing is applied to the surface of the rectifying portion 130similarly to the first embodiment, and the material constituting therectifying portion 130 is similar to that of the rectifying portion 100in the first embodiment.

The flow of cooling air W3 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space C3 of the lightsource unit 3 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained. The flow of the cooling air W3 in this embodiment issubstantially similar to the flow of the cooling air W2 in the secondembodiment.

The cooling air W3 flows to the space C3 of the housing 9 through theair intake port 9 a by the operation of the cooling mechanism 500, andmoves toward the reflector 70. The cooling air W3 having reached thereflector 70 flows along the reflection layer 73 of the reflector 70. Apart of the cooling air W3 flows toward a space D3 surrounded by thereflector 70 and the rectifying portion 130 via the clearance betweenthe outer circumferential end 131 b of the rectifying portion 130 in the+Z direction and the reflection layer 73. Most of the remaining coolingair W3 flows in the direction along the flat surface of the rectifyingportion 130 (−Z direction).

The cooling air W3 flowing in the direction along the flat surface ofthe rectifying portion 130 (−Z direction) flows from the area A in theupper region of the light emission portion 81 to the area B on thereflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81. By the flow of thecooling air W3, the area B as well as the area A are cooled. Then, thecooling air W3 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 130 (−Z direction), and again flows along thereflection layer 73 away from the rectifying portion 130. Finally, thecooling air W3 is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

On the other hand, the cooling air W3 introduced to the space D3surrounded by the reflector 70 and the rectifying portion 130 cools thespace D3, and again flows out through the clearance between the outercircumferential end 131 b in the −Z direction and the reflection layer73 and moves along the reflection layer 73. Then, the cooling air W3 isdischarged through the air discharge port 9 b.

The light source unit 3 according to the third embodiment has structuresimilar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light source device 61)in the first embodiment except for that different structure and fixingmethod of the rectifying portion 130 of the light source device 63 andthe support member 140 are used. Thus, the following advantages as wellas the corresponding ones of the advantages of the light source device61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 63 in this embodiment, therectifying portion 130 is sandwiched between the light emission portion81 and the support member 140 and fixed therebetween. Thus, therectifying portion 130 can be securely fixed, and can be operated in astable condition without affected by the flow of the cooling air W3.Moreover, the effect of thermal stress on the sealing portion 82 can bereduced by avoiding direct fixture to the sealing portion 82 by using anadhesive or the like.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a fourth embodiment. In FIG. 5, similar referencenumbers are given to parts similar to those in the first embodiment, andthe same explanation is not repeated herein. The XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in the first embodiment. Theprojector 600 in the fourth embodiment is similar to the projector 600in the first embodiment except for that a light source unit 4 isincluded in lieu of the light source unit 1 in the optical systems ofthe projector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 4 in the fourthembodiment are now described with reference to FIG. 5.

The light source unit 4 in the fourth embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In thefourth embodiment, a rectifying portion 150 included in a light sourcedevice 64 is different from the rectifying portion 100 included in thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment. In the fourthembodiment, no support portion such as the support member 110 in thefirst embodiment is used. The rectifying portion 150 in the fourthembodiment is disposed between the one sealing portion 82 and thereflector 70 similarly to the rectifying portion 100 in the firstembodiment and performs operation similar to that of the rectifyingportion 100 in the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the rectifying portion 150 includes adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 151 having a flat surface. Anopening 151 a is further formed at the center of the rectifying portionmain body 151. The rectifying portion 150 is produced by inserting thesealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80 through the opening 151 a suchthat the rectifying portion 150 can be positioned in a directionsubstantially orthogonal to the illumination axis L. Then, therectifying portion 150 is fixed to the sealing portion 82 by filling theclearance between the opening 151 a and the sealing portion 82 with theinorganic adhesive C such as cement. In this embodiment, a substantiallyconstant clearance is produced between an outer circumferential end 151b of the rectifying portion 150 and the opposed reflection layer in thiscondition. Anti-reflection processing is applied to the surface of therectifying portion 150 similarly to the first embodiment, and thematerial constituting the rectifying portion 150 is similar to that ofthe rectifying portion 100 in the first embodiment.

The flow of cooling air W4 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space C4 of the lightsource unit 4 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained. The flow of the cooling air W4 in this embodiment issubstantially similar to the flow of the cooling air W2 in the secondembodiment.

The cooling air W4 flows to the space C4 of the housing 9 through theair intake port 9 a by the operation of the cooling mechanism 500, andmoves toward the reflector 70. The cooling air W4 having reached thereflector 70 flows along the reflection layer 73 of the reflector 70. Apart of the cooling air W4 flows toward a space D4 surrounded by thereflector 70 and the rectifying portion 150 via the clearance betweenthe outer circumferential end 151 b of the rectifying portion 150 in the+Z direction and the reflection layer 73. Most of the remaining coolingair W4 flows in the direction along the flat surface of the rectifyingportion 150 (−Z direction).

The cooling air W4 flowing in the direction along the flat surface ofthe rectifying portion 150 (−Z direction) flows from the area A in theupper region of the light emission portion 81 to the area B on thereflector 70 side of the light emission portion 81. By the flow of thecooling air W4, the area B as well as the area A are cooled. Then, thecooling air W4 flows in the direction along the flat surface of therectifying portion 150 (−Z direction), and again flows along thereflection layer 73 away from the rectifying portion 150. Finally, thecooling air W4 is discharged through the air discharge port 9 b.

On the other hand, the cooling air W4 introduced to the space D4surrounded by the reflector 70 and the rectifying portion 150 cools thespace D4, and again flows out through the clearance between the outercircumferential end 151 b in the −Z direction and the reflection layer73 and moves along the reflection layer 73. Then, the cooling air W4 isdischarged through the air discharge port 9 b.

The light source unit 4 according to the fourth embodiment has structuresimilar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light source device 61)in the first embodiment except for that no support portion is includedand that different structure and fixing method of the rectifying portion150 of the light source device 64 are used. Thus, the followingadvantages as well as the corresponding ones of the advantages of thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 64 in the fourth embodiment,the rectifying portion 150 is directly fixed to the sealing portion 82.Thus, the structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of thelight source device 64 can be reduced.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates a light source unit according to a fifth embodiment.More specifically, FIG. 6 is a front view showing a connecting areabetween the light emission portion 81 and the one sealing portion 82 asviewed from the reflector 70 side, the connecting area containing acondition cut along a plane orthogonal to the illumination axis L. InFIG. 6, similar reference numbers are given to parts similar to those inthe first embodiment, and the same explanation is not repeated herein.The XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. 6 is similar to theXYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in the firstembodiment. The projector 600 in the fifth embodiment is similar to theprojector 600 in the first embodiment except for the point that a lightsource unit 5 is included in lieu of the light source unit 1 in theoptical systems of the projector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 5 in the fifthembodiment are now described with reference to FIG. 6.

The light source unit 5 in the fifth embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In thefifth embodiment, a rectifying portion 160 included in a light sourcedevice 65 is different from the rectifying portion 100 included in thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment. In the fifth embodiment,no support portion such as the support member 110 in the firstembodiment is used. The rectifying portion 160 in the fifth embodimentis disposed between the one sealing portion 82 and the reflector 70similarly to the rectifying portion 100 in the first embodiment andperforms operation similar to that of the rectifying portion 100 in thefirst embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the rectifying portion 160 includes arectangular rectifying portion main body 161 having a flat surface. Anopening 161 a is further formed at the center of the rectifying portionmain body 161. Corners 162 of the rectifying portion main body 161 areformed as tapered surfaces corresponding to the shape of the reflectionlayer 73.

The rectifying portion 160 is produced by inserting the sealing portion82 of the arc tube 80 through the opening 161 a and bringing the corners162 of the rectifying portion 160 into contact with the reflection layer73 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination axis L.Then, the ends of the four corners 162 contacting the reflection layer73 are fixed to the reflection layer 73 by the inorganic adhesive C suchas cement. In this embodiment, clearances are produced between fourouter circumferential ends 161 b of the rectifying portion 160 and theopposed reflection layer 73 in this condition. The opening 161 a of therectifying portion 160 is positioned away from the outer circumferentialsurface of the sealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80. Anti-reflectionprocessing is applied to the surface of the rectifying portion 160similarly to the first embodiment, and the material constituting therectifying portion 160 is similar to that of the rectifying portion 100in the first embodiment.

The flow of cooling air W5 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space of the lightsource unit 5 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained. The flow of the cooling air W5 in this embodiment issubstantially similar to the flow of the cooling air W2 in the secondembodiment. Thus, only the point different from the second embodiment isherein explained.

The different point is that a part of the cooling air W5 introduced tothe space of the housing 9 flows to a space surrounded by the reflector70 and the rectifying portion 160 through the clearance between theouter circumferential end 161 b of the rectangular rectifying portion160 positioned in the +Z direction and the reflection layer 73. Theregulation of the flow direction of the cooling air W5 by the rectifyingportion 160 and the operation of the regulated cooling air W5 aresubstantially similar to those in the second embodiment.

The light source unit 5 according to the fifth embodiment has structuresimilar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light source device 61)in the first embodiment except for that no support portion is includedand that different structure and fixing method of the rectifying portion160 of the light source device 65 are used. Thus, the followingadvantages as well as the corresponding ones of the advantages of thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 65 in the fifth embodiment, therectifying portion 160 has a substantially rectangular flat shape. Thus,clearances are produced between the reflection layer 73 and the outercircumferential ends 161 b of the rectifying portion 160 by thedifference between the inner surface shape of the reflection layer 73and the rectangular shape of the rectifying portion 160. Thus, thecooling air W5 can be introduced to the space surrounded by thereflection layer 73 and the rectifying portion 160 through theclearances thus produced. The rectifying portion 160 having thesubstantially rectangular flat shape can be produced by only slightprocessing for forming the outer shape of the rectifying portion 160.Thus, the manufacturing cost of the rectifying portion 160 can bereduced. Moreover, a larger number of the rectifying portion 160 havingthe rectangular flat shape can be produced from a material compared withthe case of a circular rectifying portion. Thus, the manufacturing costcan be further reduced. In addition, resources can be efficiently used.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a sixth embodiment. In FIG. 7, similar referencenumbers are given to parts similar to those in the first embodiment, andthe same explanation is not repeated herein. The XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in the first embodiment. Theprojector 600 in the sixth embodiment is similar to the projector 600 inthe first embodiment except for that a light source unit 6 is includedin lieu of the light source unit 1 in the optical systems of theprojector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 6 in the sixthembodiment are now described with reference to FIG. 7.

The light source unit 6 in the sixth embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In thesixth embodiment, a rectifying portion 170 included in a light sourcedevice 66 is different from the rectifying portion 100 included in thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment. In the sixth embodiment,no support portion such as the support member 110 in the firstembodiment is used. The rectifying portion 170 in the sixth embodimentis disposed between the one sealing portion 82 and the reflector 70similarly to the rectifying portion 100 in the first embodiment andperforms operation similar to that of the rectifying portion 100 in thefirst embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, the rectifying portion 170 includes adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 171 having a curved surface. Anopening 171 a is further formed at the center of the rectifying portionmain body 171. The rectifying portion 170 is produced by inserting thesealing portion 82 of the arc tube 80 through the opening 171 a suchthat the rectifying portion 170 can be positioned in a directionsubstantially orthogonal to the illumination axis L. Then, therectifying portion 170 is fixed to the sealing portion 82 by filling theclearance between the opening 171 a and the sealing portion 82 with theinorganic adhesive C such as cement. In this embodiment, a substantiallyconstant clearance is produced between an outer circumferential end 171b of the rectifying portion 170 and the opposed reflection layer 73 inthis condition. Anti-reflection processing is applied to the surface ofthe rectifying portion 170 similarly to the first embodiment, and thematerial constituting the rectifying portion 170 is similar to that ofthe rectifying portion 100 in the first embodiment.

The flow of cooling air W6 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space C6 of the lightsource unit 6 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained. The flow of the cooling air W6 in this embodiment issubstantially similar to the flow of the cooling air W2 in the secondembodiment. Thus, only the point different from the second embodiment isherein described.

The different point is that most of the cooling air W6 introduced to thespace C6 of the housing 9 smoothly flows in the direction along thecurved surface of the rectifying portion 170 (−Z direction). A part ofthe cooling air W6 flows to the space D6 surrounded by the reflector 70and the rectifying portion 170 through the clearance between the outercircumferential end 171 b of the rectifying portion 170 positioned inthe +Z direction and the reflection layer 73. The cooling air W6immediately before the air discharge port 9 b also smoothly flows alongthe curved surface of the rectifying portion 170. The regulation of theflow direction of the cooling air W6 by the rectifying portion 170 andthe operation of the regulated cooling air W6 are substantially similarto those in the second embodiment.

The light source unit 6 according to the sixth embodiment has structuresimilar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light source device 61)in the first embodiment except for that no support portion is includedand that different structure and fixing method of the rectifying portion170 of the light source device 66 are used. Thus, the followingadvantages as well as the corresponding ones of the advantages of thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 66 in the sixth embodiment, therectifying portion 170 is directly fixed to the sealing portion 82.Thus, the structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of thelight source device 66 can be reduced.

(2) According to the light source device 66 in the sixth embodiment, therectifying portion 170 has a curved surface. In this case, the flowdirection of the cooling air W6 can be regulated while the cooling airW6 is smoothly flowing along the curved surface. Thus, the flow of thecooling air W6 can be easily controlled.

(3) According to the light source device 66 in the sixth embodiment, therectifying portion 170 has a curved surface. On the other hand, each ofthe rectifying portions 100, 120, 130, 150, and 160 has a flat surface.Thus, highly efficient surfaces of the rectifying portion suited for therespective shapes of the arc tube, the reflector and the like includedin the light source device and for the respective ways of flow of thecooling air can be selected with a higher degree of freedom.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the side of a light sourceunit according to a seventh embodiment. In FIG. 8, similar referencenumbers are given to parts similar to those in the first embodiment, andthe same explanation is not repeated herein. The XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and used in the first embodiment. Theprojector 600 in the seventh embodiment is similar to the projector 600in the first embodiment except for the point that a light source unit 7is included in lieu of the light source unit 1 in the optical systems ofthe projector 600 in the first embodiment.

The structure and operation of the light source unit 7 in the seventhembodiment are now described with reference to FIG. 8.

The light source unit 7 in the seventh embodiment includes the concavelens 11 and the housing 9 similarly to the first embodiment. In theseventh embodiment, a rectifying portion 180 included in a light sourcedevice 67 is different from the rectifying portion 100 included in thelight source device 61 in the first embodiment. In the seventhembodiment, no support portion such as the support member 110 in thefirst embodiment is used. The rectifying portion 180 in the seventhembodiment is disposed between the one sealing portion 82 and thereflector 70 similarly to the rectifying portion 100 in the firstembodiment and performs operation similar to that of the rectifyingportion 100 in the first embodiment.

In the seventh embodiment, the rectifying portion 180 includes adisk-shaped rectifying portion main body 181 having a flat surface. Anopening 181 a is further formed at a position shifted from the center ofthe rectifying portion main body 181. The rectifying portion 180 isproduced by inserting the sealing portion of the arc tube 80 through theopening 181 a with inclination to the illumination axis L at apredetermined angle. Then, the rectifying portion 180 is fixed to thesealing portion 82 by filling the clearance between the opening 181 aand the sealing portion 82 with the inorganic adhesive C such as cement.In this embodiment, the rectifying portion 180 is fixed with inclinationto the illumination axis L at the predetermined angle. Morespecifically, the rectifying portion 180 in the +Z direction is fixedwith inclination toward the light emission portion 81.

In this embodiment, a substantially constant clearance is producedbetween an outer circumferential end 181 b of the rectifying portion 180and the opposed reflection layer 73. Anti-reflection processing isapplied to the surface of the rectifying portion 180 similarly to thefirst embodiment, and the material constituting the rectifying portion180 is similar to that of the rectifying portion 100 in the firstembodiment.

The flow of cooling air W7 (indicated by broken lines with arrows)introduced through the air intake port 9 a to a space C7 of the lightsource unit 7 by operation of the cooling mechanism 500 is nowexplained. The flow of the cooling air W7 in this embodiment issubstantially similar to the flow of the cooling air W2 in the secondembodiment. Thus, only the point different from the second embodiment isherein described.

The different point is that most of the cooling air W7 introduced to thespace C7 of the housing 9 smoothly flows in the direction along theinclined flat surface of the rectifying portion 180 (−Z direction). Apart of the cooling air W7 flows to a space D7 surrounded by thereflector 70 and the rectifying portion 180 through the clearancebetween the outer circumferential end 181 b of the rectifying portion180 positioned in the +Z direction and the reflection layer 73. Theregulation of the flow direction of the cooling air W7 by the rectifyingportion 180 and the operation of the regulated cooling air W7 aresubstantially similar to those in the second embodiment.

The light source unit 7 according to the seventh embodiment hasstructure similar to that of the light source unit 1 (the light sourcedevice 61) in the first embodiment except for that no support portion isincluded and that different structure and fixing method of therectifying portion 180 of the light source device 67 are used. Thus, thefollowing advantages as well as the corresponding ones of the advantagesof the light source device 61 in the first embodiment are provided.

(1) According to the light source device 67 in the seventh embodiment,the rectifying portion 180 is directly fixed to the sealing portion 82.Thus, the structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of thelight source device 67 can be reduced.

(2) According to the light source device 67 in the seventh embodiment,the rectifying portion 180 has a flat surface and is fixed not in thedirection orthogonal to the illumination axis L but with inclinationthereto. In this case, the flow direction of the cooling air W7 can beregulated while the cooling air W7 is smoothly flowing along theinclined flat surface. Thus, the flow of the cooling air W7 can beeasily controlled.

The invention is not limited to the first through seventh embodimentsdescribed herein, but may be practiced otherwise without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. As such, various changes andimprovements including the following modifications may be made.

Modified Example 1

While each of the light source devices 61 through 67 in the firstthrough seventh embodiments includes the sub mirror 90, the invention isapplicable to a light source device not having the sub mirror 90.

Modified Example 2

According to the light source devices 61 through in the first throughseventh embodiments, the rectifying portions 100, 120, 130, 150, 160,170, and 180, the support members 110 and 140, and others are provided.However, the shapes of the rectifying portions and the support members,the fixing structures and the like may be arbitrarily changed orcombined without departing from the scope of the invention.

Modified Example 3

According to the light source devices 61, 64, 66, and 67 in the first,fourth, sixth, and seventh embodiments, the rectifying portions 100,150, 170, and 180 are fixed to the sealing portion 82 by the inorganicadhesive C as an adhesive. In this case, the rectifying portion may befixed to the sealing portion 82 by the adhesive at a positioncorresponding to an area out of the region where lines included in theelectrode 84 are connected by welding or the like with the metal foil 86sealed within the one sealing portion 82 (electrode connection region).When the rectifying portion is fixed by the adhesive in this manner, theeffect caused by thermal stress can be reduced by avoiding the electrodeconnection region of the sealing portion 82 as an area easily affectedby the effect of thermal stress.

Modified Example 4

According to the light source devices 61 through 65, and 67 in the firstthrough fifth embodiments and the seventh embodiment, the rectifyingportions 100, 120, 130, 150, 160, and 180 have flat surfaces. Accordingto the light source device 66 in the sixth embodiment, however, therectifying portion 170 has a curved surface. Thus, a highly efficientsurface of the rectifying portion suited for the shapes of the arc tube,the reflector and the like included in the light source device and forthe way of flow of the cooling air different from those in the firstthrough seventh embodiments can be selected for producing the rectifyingportion.

Modified Example 5

According to the first embodiment, the rectifying portion 100 and thesupport member 110 are separately produced, and then combined as oneunit. However, the rectifying portion 100 and the support member 110 maybe formed integrally with each other from the beginning.

Modified Example 6

According to the second embodiment, the rectifying portion 120 has thenotches 122 on the edge. However, the shapes of the notches 122 may bechanged such that effective cooling can be provided based on theconsideration of the heat distribution inside the light source device62, the way of flow of the cooling air W2, and other conditions.

Modified Example 7

While each of the projectors 600 according to the first through seventhembodiments includes the lens integrator optical system containing thefirst lens array 12 and the second lens array 13 as the optical systemfor equalizing the illuminance of emitted light, a rod integratoroptical system containing a light guide rod may be used.

Modified Example 8

While each of the projectors 600 according to the first through seventhembodiments is a front type projector, the invention is applicable to arear type projector including a screen as a projection target surface inone unit.

Modified Example 9

According to the optical systems of the projectors 600 in the firstthrough seventh embodiments, the liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, 30B asthe optical modulation devices are transmission type liquid crystaldevices. However, reflection type optical modulation devices such asreflection type liquid crystal devices may be used.

Modified Example 10

According to the optical systems of the projectors 600 in the firstthrough seventh embodiments, the liquid crystal devices 30R, 30G, 30B asthe optical modulation devices are used. However, any type of opticalmodulation device may be employed as long as they can generally modulateentering light according to image signals. For example, micromirror typeoptical modulation devices may be used. The micromirror type opticalmodulation devices may be constituted by a DMD (digital micromirrordevice).

Modified Example 11

According to the optical systems of the projectors 600 in the firstthrough seventh embodiments, the optical modulation devices are those ofso-called three-plate type which includes the three liquid crystaldevices 30R, 30G, and 30B in correspondence with the red light, greenlight, and blue light. However, single-plate type may be employed.Moreover, a liquid crystal device for improving contrast may be added.

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2009-057512 filed on Mar. 11, 2009, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

1. A light source device, comprising: an arc tube that includes (1) alight emission portion containing a pair of electrodes disposed along anillumination axis, and (2) a pair of sealing portions extending fromboth sides of the light emission portion; a reflector that includes areflection portion disposed in the vicinity of one of the sealingportions (the first sealing portion) of the arc tube that reflects lightemitted from the arc tube toward an illumination area; and a rectifyingportion disposed between the light emission portion and the reflectionportion of the reflector that regulates a flow direction of cooling airand transmits the light directly from the reflector out of the lightsource device.
 2. The light source device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a sub mirror disposed in the vicinity of the other one ofthe sealing portions (the second sealing portion) in such a manner as tocover the outer surface of the light emission portion as the surfacefacing the illumination area to reflect the light from the arc tubetoward the arc tube.
 3. The light source device according to claim 1,wherein the rectifying portion is fixed to at least one member selectedfrom the group consisting of the first sealing portion and thereflector.
 4. The light source device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a support portion that supports the rectifying portion inthe vicinity of the first sealing portion and fixes the rectifyingportion to a position around the first sealing portion.
 5. The lightsource device according to claim 4, wherein the support portion holdsthe rectifying portion between the support portion and the lightemission portion and fixes the rectifying portion.
 6. The light sourcedevice according to claim 1, wherein a notch is formed on the edge ofthe rectifying portion.
 7. The light source device according to claim 1,wherein: when an adhesive is used for fixing the rectifying portion tothe first sealing portion, the adhesive fixes the rectifying portion toa position corresponding to an area out of an electrode connectionregion of the first sealing portion.
 8. The light source deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the rectifying portion is disposed in sucha position such that a diameter of the rectifying portion issubstantially orthogonal to the illumination axis, and has a flatsurface or a curved surface through which the light can be transmittedand a substantially circular or substantially rectangular flat shape. 9.The light source device according to claim 1, wherein an anti-reflectionprocessing is applied to the surface of the rectifying portion.
 10. Thelight source device according to claim 1, wherein: the reflector furtherincludes a first concave surface and a second concave surface; the firstconcave surface of the reflector has a first reflection layer whichreceives light transmitted through the rectifying portion; and thesecond concave surface of the reflector has a second reflection layerwhich receives light not transmitted through the rectifying portion. 11.A projector, comprising: an arc tube that includes (1) a light emissionportion containing a pair of electrodes disposed along an illuminationaxis, and (2) a pair of sealing portions extending from both sides ofthe light emission portion; a reflector that includes a reflectionportion disposed in the vicinity of one of the sealing portions (thefirst sealing portion) of the arc tube that reflects light emitted fromthe arc tube toward an illumination area; and a rectifying portiondisposed between the light emission portion and the reflection portionof the reflector that regulates a flow direction of cooling air andtransmits the light directly from the reflector out of the light sourcedevice; and an optical modulation device which forms an optical image bymodulating light emitted from the light source device.
 12. The projectoraccording to claim 11, further comprising: the sub mirror disposed inthe vicinity of the other one of the sealing portions (the secondsealing portion) in such a manner as to cover the outer surface of thelight emission portion as the surface facing the illumination area toreflect the light from the arc tube toward the arc tube.
 13. Theprojector according to claim 11, wherein the rectifying portion is fixedto at least one member selected from the group consisting of the firstsealing portion and the reflector.
 14. The projector according to claim11, further comprising: the support portion that supports the rectifyingportion in the vicinity of the first sealing portion and fixes therectifying portion to a position around the first sealing portion. 15.The projector according to claim 14, wherein the support portion holdsthe rectifying portion between the support portion and the lightemission portion and fixes the rectifying portion.
 16. The projectoraccording to claim 11, wherein a notch is formed on the edge of therectifying portion.
 17. The projector according to claim 11, wherein:when an adhesive is used for fixing the rectifying portion to the firstsealing portion, the adhesive fixes the rectifying portion to a positioncorresponding to an area out of an electrode connection region of thefirst sealing portion.
 18. The projector according to claim 11, whereinthe rectifying portion is disposed in such a position such that adiameter of the rectifying portion is substantially orthogonal to theillumination axis, and has a flat surface or a curved surface throughwhich the light can be transmitted and a substantially circular orsubstantially rectangular flat shape.
 19. The projector according toclaim 11, wherein the anti-reflection processing is applied to thesurface of the rectifying portion.
 20. The projector according to claim11, wherein: the reflector further includes a first concave surface anda second concave surface; the first concave surface of the reflector hasa first reflection layer which receives light transmitted through therectifying portion; and the second concave surface of the reflector hasa second reflection layer which receives light not transmitted throughthe rectifying portion.